Friday, September 25, 2009

mark your calendar off for friday oct 2 and come down to garfield for october's unblurred event and to check out "ghosts of pittsburgh".

this two man show at modern formations gallery opens october 2nd and showcases new and collaborative works by pittsburgh artists mike egan and rob larson.it's sure to get you into that halloween mood with it's ghostly theme.

Opening reception October 2nd, 2009 from 7 to 10pm.Exhibit runs to the 30th.

The first comprehensive look at his extensive career that spanned nearly five decades, Body of Work surveys Pittsburgh artist and teacher Philip Mendlow. Drawn from his personal collection, the work in the exhibit represents the breadth of Mendlow's creative output. Revealing the connections and differences in his two and three-dimensional forms the exhibit comprises approximately 50 paintings, works on paper and sculptures.

Philip Mendlow was born in Pittsburgh in 1933. After earning a B.F.A. from (then) Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1954, he served in Paris, France, in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he stayed in Paris, studying printmaking at the venerable William Stanley Hayter’s Atelier 17 and painting and art history at the University of Paris, Sorbonne. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, exploring the Loire Valley, Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. Returning to Pittsburgh in 1958 he established a career as an arts educator, teaching drawing and painting, and later becoming the academic dean of the Ivy School of Professional Art. After the school’s 1980 closure he continued teaching art at La Roche College, Carlow University, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh as well as Pittsburgh’s Creative and Performing Arts High School (CAPA).

Mendlow exhibited widely throughout the sixties and seventies throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, and his sculptures are in numerous private and museum collections. Although in his later years he concentrated on teaching and caring for his wife, he continued his artistic pursuits, experimenting with new styles and developing new bodies of work. Mendlow was also involved with area arts organizations, including the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors, and Western Pennsylvania Regional Scholastics, where he served in lay leadership capacities. He died in Pittsburgh, in November 2007.

Body of Work: Philip Mendlow is free and open to the public, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 10 PM; Friday, 7:30 AM to 6 PM; Saturday, 1 to 7 PM and Sunday, 7:45 AM to 6 PM.

For more information, visit the AJM/JCC at www.jccpgh.org/museum.asp, contact the Director, Melissa Hiller, at mhiller@jccpgh.org, or visit AJM’s Facebook page.

Funding for this exhibit is provided by the Anna L. Caplan and Irene V. Caplan Philanthropic Fund of the United Jewish Federation Foundation. The AJM is supported in part by grants from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, and the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, the regional arts funding partnership of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency. Media sponsorship is provided by WDUQ-FM.

American Jewish Museum of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

From the polio vaccine and the pull-tab can to the Ferris Wheel and the air brake, Pittsburgh has long been a city of innovative firsts and ingenuous inventions. This week, as the whole world is watching, a new exhibition explores and celebrates the city's 21st-century drive, spirit and creativity via the work of local artists. Aptly called Innovation Lives Here: A New Generation of Pittsburgh, the new exhibition showcases work by 20 artists at the Pittsburgh Technology Council's (PTC) 15 Minutes Gallery, one of the latest cultural venues to emerge within the city's thriving arts scene.

On view through January 21, 2010, the dynamic collection features work from a staggering variety of media, from the traditional to the cutting edge, and reflects the diverse modes, media and practices employed by our region's artists. Visitors to Innovation Lives Here: will have the opportunity to view fabric art alongside robotic installations and oil paintings displayed with gigapan technology. Featured artists in the PTC's special G-20 show include Francis Crisafio, Zheng Yang, Ron Nigro, Alan Byrne, Kaoru Tohara, Rick Byerly, Ruth Hendricks, and Sandy Kessler.

The PTC's 15 Minutes Gallery is open to the public during the G-20 Summit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as on weekdays through January 21, 2010.

CLOSING RECEPTION, nov 7 2009 / 6-9 PMThis exhibition is going to explore death as a doorway to another life. It is going to represent the physical death of the gallery through a burial, and exhibition that reflects on these three questions: why do we exist; why are we here; and are we able to make a difference...?ARTIST / GALLERY DISCUSSIONS, on-going every SUNDAY through OCTOBER, 2 PMArtists are welcome to bring their ideas for future projects.... while discussing plans for alternative exhibitions...

FINAL EXHIBITION @ THE FIREHOUSE1416 ARCH STREET/We'd like to take the opportunity to thank our artists, the community and our neighbors at the firehouse studios for supporting our efforts during our stay in the Northside. It is with great enthusiasm and zest that we embark in our new direction, which includes: the development of commercial and residential art acquisition; and exploration of the virtual arena for art process, documentation, interviews and tours… Our long term goal is to provide\ global access to the Pittsburgh arts community following personal and regional developments. In short, providing a window to the world..Coupling with the virtual development, moxie DaDA will continue to act as facilitators of public art projects. In our next phase, you can expect to see art that moves, engages and challenges.

To stay connected with moxie DaDA, follow the website for changes and current events.http://moxiedada.com/

Joe Materkowski is having a solo exhibition of his abstract paintings with the opening reception on Friday, October 2nd, 2009, from 6-10pm. 'Everyoneattending the opening reception will receive a FREE pair of 3-D glasses for an enhanced view of the work'. Check it aht! Fast Forward Gallery is not really walking distance from the main Unblurred events so maybe plan on either going earlier or later. 3700 Penn Ave. 15201. Their phone number is 724.833.4537 and email addy is FastFwdArt(AT)gmail.com. Hours besides Unblurred are by appointment, call 724-833-4537.

Monday, September 21, 2009

We are thrilled to announce that we are having a free open model session this week and it will be the first event in our new studio! We have moved into the old St. Michael's school building on Pius Street in the South Side slopes. The school is owned by the Veronica's Veil Players, a non profit community theater group, and we're really excited to be sharing their beautiful space. The address is 44 Pius St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203, and directions are below (it's really simple).

The session will be tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22nd, from 7-10.

Directions to the new studio, from Carson Street on the South Side:Turn up 18th St. (right off Carson if you're coming from Station Square, left off Carson if you're coming from the South Side Works)Once you're going up the hill, make first right at the light, on Pius St.Travel just under 1/3 of a mile, and the school will be on your left.

Make a sharp turn left up the driveway (there's a Howard Hanna real estate sign on the retaining wall of the driveway), and continue straight to the parking lot. After you park, just walk back toward the group of 3 old church school buildings - it is the middle building of the 3, and the entrance to our studio is on the ground level before the main entry staircase. We will have someone waiting on Pius to direct cars up the driveway, as well as at the Brew House in case anyone shows up to the old studio. See attached pictures for a map and image of the building.

We are really excited about this new studio and the step it represents for The Academy. We would like to sincerely thank you all for your patience and support. Thanks also to Geof from the SSLDC, Don from Carlson and McGinley Real Estate, and Denny and Dennis of Veronica's Veil Players for their tremendous assistance in helping us to get this new studio so quickly.

We hope to have you out on Tuesday to help us break in the new studio in anticipation of the Fall Term!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

My new show is October 2nd, 2009 at Gallerie Chiz on Ellsworth Ave. It is from 6 to 9 and will feature 16 new pieces. There will be live Music by Cello Cello and special catering by Charles Smith. I hope you can stop by.

INNOVATION LIVES HERE:The New Generation of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Technology Council's Special G20 Exhibition

September 21, 2009 - January 21, 2010

In celebration of this year’s G-20 Summit, the 15 Minutes Gallery is proud to present a collection of artwork that reflects the diversity, creativity, excellence and innovative spirit of Pittsburgh today. Twenty artists represent work in virtually all media – from the traditional to the leading edge. Fabric art and oil paintings, microscopic photography and gigapan technology, sculpture, collage, glass, assemblage and robotic installations – all of these media combine synergistically to form a vast and diverse collection of some of the region’s best artwork. President Obama chose us for many of the same reasons that the Art + Technology Initiative is in existence; today in Pittsburgh, we are demonstrating our ability to adapt, and even flourish – and are embracing our potential to reinvent ourselves, both culturally and economically.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Fueled by the success of last year’s Art Lottery, the Braddock, PA project Obscurae will hold its second photography exhibition and fundraiser on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Benefiting the many continuing art and community revitalization efforts of this historic steel mill town, Obscurae features more than 75 donated and framed photographs of Braddock from over 25 photographers. Public viewing of the work, open to all and free of charge, begins 7pm Saturday; the art lottery commences at 8:30pm. Those attending Obscurae, held at UnSmoke Systems Artspace at 1137 Braddock Avenue, are invited to take part in the Portrait Booth Project, an interactive photo booth by Portland Oregon artist John Ryan Brubaker, and taste fresh-baked breads made in Braddock’s very own outdoor wood-fire community oven located next to UnSmoke Systems Artspace.

There is no charge to attend Obscurae and view the exhibition; visitors wishing to take home a work of art can purchase lottery tickets for $45 through the website, www.obscuraegallery.org, or for $55 at the door. In this time of economic turbulence there is more of a need for individual support. The lottery offers those in favor of Braddock’s many art and community projects the opportunity to contribute directly to their continuation. At the same time, supporters will be able to enjoy the exhibit, local food and drinks, the photo booth installation, AND leave with a limited edition framed art photograph. Photographs included in the lottery range from 8x10 to 17x22 and are mounted and framed using a variety of reclaimed materials. A Sneak Peak of the show is available for viewing online.

Change is underway in Braddock as groups working within and with the community bring renewed energy to a town that many wrote off. Artists, social entrepreneurs, community organizers, urban homesteaders and others with a pioneering spirit are inspired by the town’s potential for grassroots urban renewal and are using the inherent energy in Braddock to fuel their creativity. It is with this spirit that Obscurae views the maligned town – turning a photographic eye towards the borough’s oft-overlooked beauty amidst the former grandeur and “urban blight” that Braddock has come to represent for many in the Pittsburgh area.

Curated by Braddock residents Jodi Morrison and Jenny Fremlin, with special guest curator Jeanine Hall of UnSmoke Systems Artspace, Obscurae pays homage to Braddock’s unique post-industrial urban beauty. From the borough’s Victorian and industrial-era construction to particulars of its natural surroundings, each photograph captures a unique perspective of the town. Works are mounted and framed with found and reclaimed materials. In creating Obscurae, curators Morrison, Fremlin and Hall hope to encourage others to look deeper and appreciate the small wonders that drew them to Braddock.

How does the Art Lottery work?Donated pieces are exhibited throughout the gallery, and pieces displayed will go home with a ticket holder that evening. Lottery participants are encouraged to browse the gallery before the lottery begins and compile a list of at least their first 25 favorites. The lottery begins with the first ticket being randomly chosen. When a ticket holder’s number is called, he or she has up to 60 seconds to choose a piece. Once a piece is selected it is removed and packaged for the winner. The lottery continues until all the ticket holders have chosen a one-of-a-kind framed photograph.

In addition to the show, Obscurae’s online gallery offers the chance to purchase frames and prints from both the 2008 and 2009 exhibitions. Proceeds from the gallery will support both the continued efforts in Braddock as well as the photographers who donated pieces for the exhibition. Some photographers participating in the show have also contributed additional pieces for purchase only available online. Visit www.obscuraegallery.org to view the work.

Obscurae: Photographs of Braddock, PA Show & Art Photography Lottery fundraiser, hosted by UnSmoke Systems Artspace, will be held Saturday September 19, 2009 at 7pm.

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council is working with our member organization, The Brew House Association (BHA), to create a resource list for the resident artists who are being displaced due to the City’s temporary shut-down of the Brew House’s facilities, pending the BHA’s upgrades to comply with building and fire codes.

Approximately 25 artists of various disciplines have been displaced from both living and studio spaces. We are writing to inquire about any rental spaces (either living or working) that your organization may have available, or may be aware of. We have created a very short webform to help compile this information for the artists. If you have space available, please visit here to enter the information. If you are aware of other organizations who may serve as resources for the relocation of these artists, please forward this message to them.

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding alternative venues, please contact Dek Ingraham, Development and Membership Coordinator at 412.391.2060, ext. 234, ringraham(AT)pittsburghartscouncil.org or Christiane Leach, Executive Assistant at 412.391.2060, ext. 228, cleach(AT)pittsburghartscouncil.org.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

@ Mellon Park (right next to Pittsburgh Center for the Arts on Fifth Ave in Shadyside)

Friday: 1 PM - 7 PMSaturday: 10 AM - 7 PMSunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

The Power Flower is a twelve-foot wind driven kinetic sculpture in the form of a potted sunflower. Sun and wind energy are collected with a wind turbine driven by spinning flower petals and photovoltaic solar film leaf surfaces. The flower provides power for public use. The sculpture also powers colored LED lighting for dynamic night illumination. A weatherproof controller maintains safe power levels and timed programmable lighting. This is housed within ample signage for graphics and mission statements. The sculpture is transportable and sets up easily for events and exhibitions.

David Edwards, founder of Art Energy Design explains, "The attention grabbing nature of large kinetic artworks is a great way to open a conversation about energy generation within the urban landscape."

2009 will be the 40th year for A Fair in the Park, an annual contemporary craft festival presented by The Craftsmen's Guild of Pittsburgh. Our festival is held in the lush surroundings of Mellon Park, adjacent to The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Nestled between Squirrel Hill and Shadyside, this 16 acre park provides us with a casual ambience that allows us to showcase artist's in a natural setting, and helps make it one of the most enjoyable events of the season. Rated one of 'Sunshine Artists' top 100 art shows nationwide, A Fair in the Park features the overall highest quality crafts and art that consistently obtain a high rating from our participants.

An estimated 20,000+ attend, many are dedicated customers that enjoy the opportunity to interact with 100 American craft artists working in Clay, Textile, Jewelry, Glass, Metal, Wood and Mixed Medias. In addition to the vast array of fine craft and art demonstrations, A Fair in the Park also features three days of live regional and national music, children activities, a bountiful food concession, plus a variety of unique outdoor entertainment. Rain or shine, this is an event not to be missed!

Call to Artists! Help me in spreading the word about the annual fundraiser for Planned Parenthood's Action Fund. They're looking for artists to donate work for the auction on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Donors receive a free ticket to the event. This is an important fundraiser and it's harder to raise money when the work is political so I hope you consider donating or passing on the info to someone who may be interested.

Drop off art by Sept 22 to 933 Liberty Ave Downtown from Monday to Friday until 4:30 p.m or call for pickup arrangements, 412.434.8957 ext. 119. Be sure to include your website link and contact info so you can be included in the promotional materials.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tav is an open group of artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians whose collective works are compiled and released several times each year in special themed issues. Tav’s second issue, out now on CD, contains over one hundred individual pieces of fiction, poetry, painting, drawing, video, and song from Pittsburgh natives and national contributors. A release event for Issue 2 featuring art and video from contributors will be held on Friday, September 11th, at Encyclopedia Destructica Studios.

In honor of the designation of 2009 as the International Year of Astrology, Tav chose an exploration of the mythology of space as its curatorial center. Complete with an introduction animation inspired by the midnight laser shows of the Carnegie Science Center, every element of Tav bears a direct or loose relation to this theme. Consistent in all works is a sense of isolation, an investigation of the inner world, the hidden world, the otherworld, and the unknown, and an attempt to capture and understand the singular mystique and insular nature of both the individual and the universe she creates.

With each release Tav selects a contributor whose works exemplify the aim of the issue, to feature in both the issue and on Tav’s website. Hooliganship, a two-person art and music group featuring the collective efforts of Peter Burr and Christopher Doulgeris, former Pittsburgh residents and graduates of Carnegie Mellon University, was selected as the featured contributor for Issue 2. Hooliganship’s Adventure and Gylden Load videos, as well as several music tracks and videos by solo artist Peter Burr can be found on Issue 2.

In addition to works by the featured contributor, Tav contains individual works of fiction and poetry from David C. Casey, Eric Delp, Svetoslav Ivanov, Adrien Jensen, Stephanie Luczajko and Jessica Smucker; new selections of Character Bank, a collaborative open-source charater project, by Sonja Crafts and J. Young; painting and drawing by Christopher Kardambikis, Luke Meeken, Ryan Murray, and James Weaver; a new installment of Harmolipi Twp., a comic by Andrew Negrey, accompanied by collectible Planet Cards; video by Bum Lee, Ryan Murray and Luke Meeken and Andrew Negrey (introduction); and over two dozen MP3 tracks including Adventures in Trenoland 2, the complete second album of the New York based 8-bit musician Action/Adventure, as well as music by Aoru Mora, The Magic Sound Machine, The Sleeping World, Tricycle Bicycle Cycle, and Voodoo Pharmacology.

The release event will be held at the Encyclopedia Destructica Studios, 156 41st Street, Pittsburgh on September 11, 2009 from 7– 11 pm. Artwork by Christopher Kardambikis, Luke Meeken, and Andrew Negrey will be on display, as well as video by Hooliganship, Peter Burr, and Ryan Murray. Admission to the release event is free and open to the public.

Tav is a nonexclusive and ever-changing association of creative individuals, originally forming in 2007 as a means to facilitate collaborative projects and orchestrate sympathetic artistic efforts among several relocated Pittsburgh residents. In 2009, Tav began organizing select collaborations and outside submissions into publication format.

Tav: Issue 2 will retail for $5. The publication will be available at www.tav.ind.in as well as various local bookstores, shops, and art festivals.

For additional information, please contact Sonja Crafts by phone at 717-341-8262, or by email at editors(AT)tav.ind.in.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Pittsburgh is lucky to have a new gallery in town by the name of Fast Fwd Gallery on 3700 Penn Ave in Bloomfield/Lawrenceville. The building is the former gallery of artist James Church then later painter Mark Gualtieri and more recently artist Thommy Conroy. The owners, Craig Freeman Smith and Joseph Materkowski, opened up last month to an opening crowd of more than 300 people! I missed that opening but checked out this past Friday's opening for Lots of Pulp, Works on Paper. The artists are from both Pittsburgh and NYC and it's an awesome exhibit. I met and spoke with co-owner Craig Smith and he said you can call/email to make an appt to check out the work if you miss Unblurred, first fridays of the month. Their phone number is 724.833.4537 and email addy is FastFwdArt(AT)gmail.com.

During Unblurred last Friday I checked out the Harvest exhibit and it was one of the best shows I've seen in a while. You can check out the closing Friday Sept 18, 2009 from 7-11pm @ 5020 Penn Av in Garfield. They have original paintings and prints as well. I bought a small painting from artist Shervin Iranshar. Incredible talent, technical skills and vision all 'round.

Friday, September 4, 2009

RADical Days is an annual event celebrating the assets with free admission, musical and dance performances and family activities offered by arts and culture organizations, parks and recreation, and sports and regional attractions that are funded by RAD. RADical Days is a “thank you” to the public for its support of the regional assets. RADical Days will take place from September 12-October 11, 2009.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Holy shiatt there's a lot of Pittsburgh art events going on this weekend! Be sure to check out Bittersweet Harvest for a comprehensive line-up (right hand side for the schedule and each posting). On Friday I'll be checking out Unblurred on Penn Ave (including the newer fast fwd gallery at 3700 penn av, 5020 penn av, modernformations, most wanted and imagebox among others). A Friday after crawl party will be at Remedy (5121 Penn Ave Larryville) on the 2nd floor starting at 10pm where Casey Hallas is the organizer for the Incredible Hipster Machie gig (tip them well, no cover). More info at the fbook link here. Saturday will be Panza Gallery and Zombo (if not Friday or Sunday).

Would like to check Unsmoke in Braddock on Friday but not sure I'll make it.

Join us for a special studio sale of selected works of art by regional and national artists. All proceeds benefit Persad Center, the nation's second oldest licensed counseling center specifically created to serve the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.